Choosing classes is a key component of college. Everyone has to do it to get an education, and messing up can have serious consequences. Advisers help students select the classes they need to take, but students have the final say in when and how they take the classes. Here are some guidelines to help make an informed decision beyond the requirements.

Don’t take classes on Friday — unless, you know, you have to

Having no classes on Friday is every college student’s dream. You can go out on Thursday nights, sleep in and just avoid all thoughts of school on Fridays. It is fun to have a three-day weekend every weekend, but having time off isn’t everything. Students shouldn’t avoid taking a certain class just because it meets on Friday. Classes are the reason you’re going to college, so don’t sacrifice them for a little fun.

Don’t be afraid to drop a class

Up to this point in your education, you have had to take classes. But college is an investment that you make. If you start taking a class and you feel like you’re in over your head, drop it. Don’t feel like you have to prove your worth by suffering through a ridiculously tough gen-ed, especially if it has nothing to do with your desired field. Also, if you bomb the first test, you may want to consider dropping the course and taking it again later if it’s required. If you drop a class before the drop deadline, no one can see that you ever took it, so it won’t look bad if you drop it. I often sign up for more hours than I want to take, just so I have the freedom to drop at least one class. If you want to challenge yourself, go ahead, but don’t say you haven’t been warned. 

Eight-week classes are awesome

If you do drop a class, you might have to pick one up to stay above the required number of hours. If you do this, take a look at eight-week classes. These classes are half of the time, but also (supposedly) double the work. In my experience, they have been half the time and the same amount of work. It doesn’t get much better than having a low number of hours for half the semester, especially if you take a first eight-week class.

Find out information about professors.

I cannot stress this enough. Professors make or break classes. One section of a certain class may be easy-peasy, while another section may be as hard as nailing jelly to a tree because of different instructors. Check this out by using either Rate My Professor or talking to other students. If you get to a class and the professor seems too hard, don’t be afraid to switch to a different section. 

Johnathan is a junior in Media. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @jhett93.